Fix it Yourself Tips

How To Get “Back On Track”

When a sliding door is off track, the result is usually a battle of wills if  You want to get through the door, but the door doesn’t want to move! The main reason most sliding doors seize up and come off track is because dirt and debris get caught in the wheels and getting embedded in the groves of the track.Using a bent wire hanger and an old toothbrush, remove the dirt and debris from the track. Using the toothbrush, remove the dirt from the wheels of the door. Vacuum the debris and wash the wheels and track with paint thinner. You can even lubricate the track and wheels with some WD-40. This should get you rolling in no time!Use This To Fix A Loose Door Hinge

If you have a loose door hinge and aren’t quite sure how to fix it, you can solve the problem with a golf tee.

First, unscrew the loose door hinge. Next, squirt wood glue onto the golf tee. Then, tap the golf tee into the stripped door hinge screw hole until it is tight. Let the glue dry for one hour. Using a utility knife cut the golf tee flush with the door frame. Finally, screw the hinge back into place. Fix one hinge at a time so you don’t have to remove the whole door!

Easy Driveway Repairs That Will Beautify Your Home!

You might not think so, but a driveway that’s filled with cracks, stains or pot holes can be unsightly and even unsafe! If you’d like to give your asphalt driveway a “makeover,” just follow these quick and easy steps on Stain Removal: To remove grease stains, mix one cup of laundry detergent in one gallon of hot water. For really stubborn stains, you can pick up a professional-grade asphalt stain remover.

  • Small Cracks: For small, hairline cracks of an inch or less deep, you’ll want use an asphalt-based caulk. Your first step is to clean the crack with a wire brush. After you remove the dirt and debris with the brush, rinse the crack with a hose. After the crack has been thoroughly cleaned, apply the caulk. Note: Before you fill the crack, measure the depth of the crack. If it measures more than a one inch deep, you’ll first want to partially fill the crack with sand. Pack the sand with water and let it dry. After the sand has dried, apply the caulk. For cracks that are a half inch or wider, you’ll need to fill the gap with a mixture of sand and asphalt sealer. Following the directions on the asphalt sealer, mix the sand and sealer into a putty-like substance. Use a disposable container to make the mixture in. A pie tin would work well for this. Place the mixture into the gap and smooth over the surface with a metal trowel. If your first application sinks down, be prepared to apply another coat.
  • Pothole Repair: Potholes are formed when water gets into small cracks in the asphalt surface, softens the soil beneath, and makes the driveway unstable. If you don’t have extensive pothole damage, you can fix the problem yourself. The first step in fixing a pothole is to remove all of the damaged paving. You may have to dig down between 2 and 6 inches to do so. Next, fill the hole with gravel to within 4 inches of the surface. Using a 4 x 4 piece of wood, mash down the gravel.
  • Now you’ll need to apply a cold-mix asphalt patching compound in 1-inch layers. Use a shovel and trowel to apply the compound. After each 1-inch layer has been applied, use the 4 x 4 to mash down the compound. Continue applying the compound until it’s built up to Ohm inch above the surrounding, undamaged area. At this point, apply a thin covering of sand to the area. Finally, slowly drive your car tire over the patched area to smooth it over. You’ll want to be sure that the patched area is level with the surface of the driveway.
  • If you’d really like to give your asphalt drive the best protection, apply an emulsified asphalt sealer to your driveway. This sealer will help prevent cracks and staining. It’s easy to do, just follow the manufacturer’s directions.
  • All the supplies you need to tackle these projects can be found at your local home improvement store.

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